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1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.2.3Here’s How to Spend Less (While Getting More) Out of Your Kitchen Remodelhttps://findthehomepros.com/heres-how-to-spend-less-while-getting-more-out-of-your-kitchen-remodel/
https://findthehomepros.com/heres-how-to-spend-less-while-getting-more-out-of-your-kitchen-remodel/#respondFri, 13 Sep 2019 12:00:31 +0000https://findthehomepros.com/?p=10110If you’re considering remodeling your kitchen this year, you’re not alone. Millions of American homeowners have completed, are currently working on, or plan to start renovations in 2019. For those still on the fence, one of the biggest obstacles to getting started are the costs involved: according to recent data from HomeAdvisor, the average U.S. kitchen remodel costs north of $22,000!

Think twice about layout changes

Home remodeling television shows often can drive a positive feedback loop, helping to set trends and popularize certain concepts. One such example is the “open kitchen.” These two words are repeated so often on such shows that they—and the scene of a very satisfied homeowner taking a sledgehammer to that interior wall—have almost become cliche. However, this trend has bled over into the real world, with more and more homeowners considering opening their own kitchen as part of their remodel.

There’s no question that an open kitchen concept can add value. Prospective buyers nearly always prefer an open kitchen to a closed one, especially if the older kitchen uses a “galley” style where cooking and entertaining space is very limited.

However, this aspect of the remodel can add to your costs, especially if plumbing, cabinets, electrical, and supports have to be moved as part of removing the interior wall. While many kitchens can benefit from being “opened,” it’s not always essential for a successful, value-boosting remodel. Talk with your local remodeler and weigh your options—and costs—before you pick up that sledgehammer and go to town.

Make the “big ticket” items your priority

When planning your kitchen remodel, stop and ask yourself what you would expect to see if you were told a kitchen had been “remodeled.” For most prospective buyers, a kitchen remodel isn’t really a remodel unless it includes new countertops and new or updated cabinets. Not only are these the most eye-catching parts of the remodel, but they are also what adds value to the project. Unfortunately, they are also likely to be the most expensive part of the remodel: the average remodeler puts between 39 and 56 percent of their budget into counters and cabinets, with the difference in that range accounting for installation.

Our recommendation: avoid the temptation of trying to get by with the cheapest materials or installation service out there. While this will lower your total project costs, you run the risk of investing in poor-quality countertops and cabinets that will quickly show wear-and-tear. Similarly, any instance where you hire the cheapest “professional” on the market is one in which you risk getting exactly what you pay for: shoddy, cheap work. While you don’t have to go high-end, pick high-quality countertops and cabinets from a trusted source, and have them installed by a remodeler with good reviews and recommendations.

Divide the project into what you can do, and what you’ll need a professional to handle

In general, we recommend leaving plumbing, electrical, or installation work to the professionals, and turning your attention to other aspects of your kitchen remodel. Some things homeowners can tackle on their own potentially include:

Installing your own tile, vinyl, or laminate flooring in the kitchen.

Buying and installing new appliances.

Adding backsplash tile once the countertops and cabinets are in place.

Hanging pendant lighting or adding under-cabinet lighting.

Painting the walls of the kitchen.

By handling these tasks yourself, you’ll save on installation costs, which can help you stay inside of your original budget, especially as you near the conclusion of the project.

]]>https://findthehomepros.com/heres-how-to-spend-less-while-getting-more-out-of-your-kitchen-remodel/feed/0How to Make the Most of a Small Kitchen Spacehttps://findthehomepros.com/how-to-make-the-most-of-a-small-kitchen-space/
https://findthehomepros.com/how-to-make-the-most-of-a-small-kitchen-space/#respondThu, 12 Sep 2019 12:00:29 +0000https://findthehomepros.com/?p=10106If you’re like most people, your kitchen space is the center and heart of your home. It’s often where the family checks in with each other and, most importantly, it’s where the food and snacks are prepared. That’s why small kitchens pose a particular set of challenges to make the most of the space you have.

Use Ceiling Racks

If you have high ceilings in your kitchen space, then ceiling racks are a tried and true method of storing pots and pans. Due to their unique shapes, pots and pans likely take the most space in your kitchen cabinetry.

Hanging your utensils also has the added benefit of air drying them, which is often more sanitary than using a towel to dry dishes. Just be sure to check for dust on any pots or pans that aren’t a part of your usual rotation.

Make Use of Wall Storage

Using your walls wisely is another way to add more storage surfaces to your kitchen. Convert your backsplashes to storage space or even use the doors of your pantry.

DIY wall storage is most commonly created using:

Pegboards – Pegboards offer a place to hang frequently used, although awkwardly shaped, cooking tools such as large spoons, spatulas, colanders, or graters.

Knife Magnets – Knife magnets not only replace the knife block to free up your counter space, but they are also one of the best ways to store knives without prematurely damaging their edges. Also, if you have extra room on your knife magnet, this is a great way to store other magnetic items, such as kitchen scissors or spice storage tins.

Curtain Rods – Curtain rods offer a more stylish hanging method for your utensils. Outfit them with cute hooks and hang up spoons and spatulas that have a hole in the handle.

Build Shelving and Cabinets Around the Fridge

If you’re in an older home, the space surrounding the fridge is often underused. Fortunately, this is the perfect space to house some of your infrequently used items. Installing a cabinet above your fridge likely gives you a couple of feet of storage. This is a great storage option for those small but very useful appliances, such as your waffle maker or egg cooker. Just make sure that the shelving over the fridge is closed off from dust.

Build Folding or Nesting Tables

Folding tables are a powerful solution to add more cooking or even dining space to a limited floor plan. These tables are generally screwed into a vertical support structure, such as a wall, or they can be attached to an existing cabinet. Similarly, nesting cabinets are stored in existing cabinets spaces. You can pull them out whenever you need to create an additional prep surface.

Install Kick Drawers Under Your Cabinets

Most cabinets have a three to four-inch empty space between the floor and the bottom of the cabinets. This offers a space for your toes and also elevates the bottom of the cabinets from the floor so that you don’t have to bend all the way down to reach the cabinet bottoms.

However, this useful space can be used for additional storage, particularly for items that you don’t use all the time, such as service ware for entertaining or seasonal items. All you need to do is install kick drawers (really, they are a thing!) below your floor cabinets. Just make sure that they’re pull-out drawers to make your life a whole lot easier.

Use Home Storage Spaces for Bulk Storage and Pantry Overflow

At some point, you’ll likely find that as much storage as you add to your small kitchen, you’re going to have some pantry overflow, particularly if you’re the type that likes to buy in bulk. However, for overflow or bulk storage, you don’t have to keep your entire stock in the kitchen.

Instead, check your home for any closets or storage spaces that are half-full or have some spare space for a backup pantry. Then, use this storage space for your bulk purchasing and dry foods overflow. You can even keep a utility drawer in this separate closet with some infrequently used kitchen tools. Just because something is used in the kitchen doesn’t mean it has to be stored there.

Add in Free-Standing Shelves Where There’s Empty Floor Space

Don’t underestimate the possibility of a slim bookcase or metal wire-shelf for offering you a little extra storage in your kitchen. Just because it isn’t a cabinet doesn’t mean it won’t make it storage concerns a little easier.

Make sure to drill holes in the back for power cords, then you can turn part of the shelf into a dedicated coffee bar, using your coffee maker and milk frother. Or, make it a more general small appliances shelf to get the clutter off your countertops.

Use Sides of Cabinets or Your Fridge for Storing Containers

Don’t forget about using the sides of your fridge, the inside of cabinet doors, or the sides of cabinets. Racks or baskets can hold odds and ends, favorite spices or spice mixes, or other forms of organization.

If you have tall upper cabinets, you can also consider hanging storage below the cabinetry. This is a common place for installing specialized racks or hooks. You can easily hang jars or stemmed wine glasses from these racks for quick access to items that you use often.

Small kitchen spaces call for a little creativity when it comes to organization and finding the extra storage you need. Nonetheless, with a few tricks and installations, there’s no reason that your kitchen can’t be a loveable and functional space for all your cooking needs.

]]>https://findthehomepros.com/how-to-make-the-most-of-a-small-kitchen-space/feed/0How Using a Paint Sprayer Can Save You Time and Moneyhttps://findthehomepros.com/how-using-a-paint-sprayer-can-save-you-time-and-money/
https://findthehomepros.com/how-using-a-paint-sprayer-can-save-you-time-and-money/#respondWed, 11 Sep 2019 15:32:40 +0000https://findthehomepros.com/?p=10102Taking on painting tasks can be a time-consuming activity depending on the size of the job and your own skill level or experience. It can take days of work to paint a full house. Ask any contractor who does it. The time it takes you to paint big walls and fences vary on several factors. One of them is what tools are you using. In most cases, you will be using brushes, rollers, or paint sprayers. Using a paint sprayer is, without a doubt, the fastest way of getting any painting project done faster.

A paint sprayer is a tool used by professional painters that take on big projects, and there is a reason for that. This painting tool can help you paint at a 2 to 3 times faster pace than using a brush or a paint roller. Not only that, these sprayers do a better job at maximizing your paint by using it very efficiently, which will save you money on paint in the long run.

There are reasons why some people opt not to get a paint sprayer. Usually those reasons are cost or lack of experience. Although it may seem like a significant expenditure in the short term, paint sprayers will save you a lot of money and time in the long run. This is crucial for contractors and people in the business of painting as buying a paint sprayer is a valuable investment with high returns.

Another common reason is the lack of experience. Many people shy away from getting a paint sprayer because they have no experience using one before. The fact of the matter is that it is relatively easy to use one. There is plenty of valuable tutorials that can be found on the internet that will show you how to use one within a couple of hours. Taking the time to learn will eventually payoff given the benefits you will get from learning the skill.

Other Benefits

Compared to other methods of painting, paint guns do have some drawbacks. Even though a brush or roller is a lot more time consuming, they are more effective in terms of quality, particularly in certain situations. Paint rollers can cover surfaces at a much deeper level, therefore creating thicker layers that may last longer or look more substantial. Depending on the quality of your paint sprayer and the surface you are painting, this may or may not be a factor. Professional paint sprayers tend to address these issues more effectively do their precision and overall quality. Needless to say, any painter would opt for a roller if looking to get a better finish on their wall were the sole consideration. Pro painters usually use a mix of tools to make sure all facets of a painting job are covered. Using a sprayer to cover the broader areas and then painting the corners with a brush or roller.

It is also essential to consider the kind of paint being used when starting a project where you will be covering outdoor and indoor areas. Sprayers are typically very good at adjusting to any type of paint. However, the quality of the job will be largely reliant on the quality of the paint. Choosing the right paint (water-based or oil-based for example) for the project is critical. Not sure? Find an expert for advice.

Environmentally Friendly

Given that paint guns perform at a high level with just about any type of paint, it is essential to consider high quality and environmentally friendly paint that will ensure your surroundings remain safe from anything in the paint that may be toxic. Paint sprayers can be messy at times with the way it sprays over surfaces. Spillages are to be expected, and protecting surrounding areas is important. Invest in tarps or drop cloths.

Conclusion

If you are looking to improve your skillset and looking to maximize your time on DIY projects, getting your hands on a paint sprayer is the way to go. There are plenty of good options online that you can look at to get one. There are inexpensive options as well. Starting with a less expensive one may be a smart way to go about it until you gather more experience and then look to go pro! For more tips on paint spraying click here.

Need help with your panting project? If you live the Rochester or Finger Lakes Region of New York, you’ll find the pros at www.FindTheHomePros.com

]]>https://findthehomepros.com/how-using-a-paint-sprayer-can-save-you-time-and-money/feed/0How to Design and Impressive Home Wine Barhttps://findthehomepros.com/how-to-design-and-impressive-home-wine-bar/
https://findthehomepros.com/how-to-design-and-impressive-home-wine-bar/#respondMon, 09 Sep 2019 17:15:00 +0000https://findthehomepros.com/?p=10098“There is no place like home.” It is a common cliché we usually hear from someone who wanted to experience the best of life. A home is a place where we feel loved and secured. Hence, we need to make sure that we fill it only with memories that we’re going to treasure for life.

One of the best ways to fill a home with joy is through entertainment. You can hold weekend parties with your family members, relatives, and even friends. It’s how you can have fun without leaving the comfort of your home. There’s also a better way of making sure that the enjoyment and party you hold is unique and impressive.

For instance, creating a wine bar at home is a distinct way of bringing your home’s entertainment to a whole new level and a fun way of investing in wine. It helps you in making an attractive, functional, and original centerpiece at your home.

That said, here are some home bar tips and ideas that will surely entice you and your guests to create memories at home like no other.

Consider a Freestanding Bar

A freestanding bar makes a perfect choice when making wine bars at home. It unleashes your creativity by creating a masterpiece where you and your family members can enjoy sipping a glass of wine. It is also one of the easiest ways to create a wine bar at home.

You can buy a ready-made standing wine bar at furniture stores. You can also customize a design for a more personal taste. Make sure that your house has enough space to install this kind of wine. You must also consider the size and type so as not to affect the whole interior design of your home.

Design Storage

Storage for wine is crucial – because they can either make or break the taste of the wine label. Make sure to also note your overall room temperature and humidity before selecting your chosen type of storage.

You can leverage on built-in cabinets as your wine storage. It may be pricey, but it gives your wine bar a more permanent and built-in look. It also generates good-looking aesthetics, to make a great impression to all your invited guests.

Create a Room for Guests

Creating a wine bar at home needs to address more than the place where the wines are stored. Next you’ll need to think about where you and your guests will drink the wines while also sharing stories with each other. Think about the extra space you’ll need in this bar area for guests so they can sit comfortably.

It will also serve as a place for socialization. Make sure that the room is well-ventilated and lighted if needed. You might even consider adding traditional couches or chairs where you can sit together and talk while sipping your favorite glasses of wine.

Attach an Island

Attaching an island to your home wine bar gives you an additional form of entertainment. The island you add can serve many purposes. You can prepare the dish you are serving along with the wine for food and wine pairing activities you are holding. You can also place long chairs that surround the island where your guests can sit.

The island will also serve as a place where you and your guests can bond with each other. You can prepare dishes while talking to them and enjoying a glass of wine. As the host, this makes the entire experience more enjoyable for you as well.

Look For a Bar Cart

A bar wagon or cart is the cheapest way of making a workable wine bar at home. It is a great alternative for a household with small spaces or those who are not ready for renovation. This area will also allow you to display the wine labels you would like to serve along with the glassware you need to use. You can get these in retail stores near you for a reasonable price.

Contemplate Your Home Appliances

Planning for a large bar for entertaining? You can play bartender where you mix wine cocktails and drinks. In this case, you will want to consider additional equipment like a small fridge and possibly and ice maker where you can store your mixes and other items close at hand.

You’ll want to be sure your wines are appropriately chilled allowing the original taste to come through. You can place a small fridge below the cabinet storage near your wines to make it secure and to have easy access.

Enhance Your Drinkware

The last thing you’ll want to consider to make your wine bar complete is to enhance all your drinkware. Make sure you compliment your wine bar at home with the right cocktail napkins, shakers, and complete set of wine glasses. When you begin to search, you’ll find many designs and styles of drinkware to compliment your bar area.

]]>https://findthehomepros.com/how-to-design-and-impressive-home-wine-bar/feed/0How to Choose the Best Roofing Company in Your Areahttps://findthehomepros.com/how-to-choose-the-best-roofing-company-in-your-area/
https://findthehomepros.com/how-to-choose-the-best-roofing-company-in-your-area/#respondFri, 06 Sep 2019 15:00:12 +0000https://findthehomepros.com/?p=10088If you need roofing repair work then you will need to get the help of a professional roofer or roofing company. The good news is there are likely at least a few local options no matter where you live. More choice is always going to be a good thing.

The bad news is knowing exactly who the best roofer or roofing company to choose for your work isn’t always easy. In fact, choosing a roofer can actually be quite a time consuming and difficult process especially if you need more specialty work done.

But I can help. Below I’ve outlined some advice to help you make a decision more easily. No matter what kind of roofing work you need doing there will be a roofer or roofing company who can assist you. So, to help you decide on who to choose, consider the tips I’ve laid out below.

Experience Matters

Roofing is quite a specialized service and requires a high level of training and experience to do successfully. So, one of the first things you should do when trying to find a roofer is to find out how experienced they are.

When you contact a roofer ask if they have any notable experience with the specific kind of work you need done. Ask about their credentials and the training they have had. Any roofer should be happy to share this information with you. If they aren’t then take it as a warning sign to look elsewhere.

Think About Your Budget

Roofing work can be expensive even if it is only minimal repairs that are needed and one of the most overriding factors for most people when it comes to work will be their available budget. Any roofer should be happy to provide an estimate for the work involved so don’t be afraid to contact a few different roofers to see who offers the best price. That said, do remember that the lowest price is not necessarily the best company/roofer for the job. It is one consideration of many.

The Time-Frame

Another important factor when it comes to roofing work is the time-frame for when the work can be done. If your roof is damaged and in need of repairs then you will clearly want to get the work done quickly, won’t you?

However, depending on their current workload and their proximity there could be a big difference between what each roofer can manage. If you need work done quickly, be upfront with any roofer you talk with to ensure you can get the work done quickly. In some cases, this could mean potential roofers won’t be able to help or you might need to pay more. A good roofer will likely be busy, but he may be willing to shuffle jobs around for you if yours is, for example, a leaking roof.

Research Roofers Thoroughly

You should thoroughly research any roofer you are considering and don’t just stick to reading testimonials and reviews on their websites. These will often only highlight positive examples of their work. You need to look for something that is more impartial to get a clearer picture of the service the roofer offers.

Thankfully there are several ways you can find such information from things like Google reviews to dedicated information sites for roofers like the Roofing Repair Company.org.

If you live in the Rochester or Finger Lakes region of New York, you’ll find roofing professionals at www.FindTheHomePros.com

]]>https://findthehomepros.com/how-to-choose-the-best-roofing-company-in-your-area/feed/0Thinking of Selling Your Home? Here are Some Staging Tips.https://findthehomepros.com/thinking-of-selling-your-home-here-are-some-staging-tips/
https://findthehomepros.com/thinking-of-selling-your-home-here-are-some-staging-tips/#respondWed, 28 Aug 2019 16:56:54 +0000https://findthehomepros.com/?p=10001The housing market is looking robust, and you have your heart set on a bigger home, just up the road. The challenge is selling your house first. It is possible, with the right advice and expertise, to dress a house for sale. Home staging tips will help you showcase your home’s strengths and hide the weaknesses – to help the house put in a performance – and make it irresistible to potential buyers. Although this might sound like merely making a house look good, you are doing more than this. With home staging, you are actively seeking a positive emotional response in the buyer.

Who are your buyers?

To be able to provoke a reaction in the market, you need to know who they are. You need to understand your target audience. If they are a young family, then you could put a trampoline in the yard and maybe a paddling pool; perhaps even get the BBQ out? If they are from the city and think they want the rural life, buy a cart full of fresh veg and leave it in plain view, with fresh eggs from the chickens.

Ask an estate agent for advice about the most likely people to come to view your home. It might not be someone like you anymore. The housing market moves on, and buyers change. Therefore, check-in for advice about the target audience and adapt your home to suit these people.

Declutter!

You don’t want your home to look sanitized. However, you equally do not want it to look small because there is so much stuff everywhere. Leave it looking like a home, but a home where no one does much active living. So, clear out and box up all your scattered around possessions and leave the image of an idyllic life of a couple, young family or retired couple.

Your biggest challenge will be children’s toys if you have a young family of your own. You may want to restrict children to two or three favourites that are easy to gather up quickly in the event of a house viewing. The rest of the toys could be stored away, just for the period while you are inviting buyers into your home.

Refresh.

First impressions will come from bigger areas. Therefore, you need to clean the carpets and dab paint on the walls that might have been splashed with mud. You should also wash the windows. Light is nature’s paintbrush. Artists understand that the dance of light in a room can evoke an emotional response. However, if your room is super dark, cluttered or dirty, then your rooms will look small and lacking in life.

Bright and clean are the two most important words to impress the buyer when they first enter the home.

Model…

You then you need to demonstrate how you use those odd little spaces around the home. It might be that you have a utility cupboard that is too small for your washing machine, never mind the dryer, dishwasher and extra freezer. Instead, you turn it into a walk-in pantry, with cute fixtures and fittings: odd little cupboard space turned into something desirable.

Although you want to embrace tidy and minimalist, you do not want to sanitize your home. If you ask real estate agents, they will tell you how difficult it is to sell an empty house. The bare rooms are uninspiring, and it takes too much imagination on the part of the buyer to place their possessions on this blank template. Therefore, tidy is good but leave some lived in touches that will make the buyer aspire to the same. This can be simpler than you imagine. It can be as easy as throwing some squishy cushions on your bed, so the buyer can imagine sinking into the comfort. Remember how tiring it is house hunting? Your super-comfy bed could inspire a thousand on the price they offer.

Home staging in short

So, home staging is mostly showing off the strengths of your home. You are casually hiding the odd mishap and concern as best as possible and accentuating the many positives. Remember, two things 1) You are opening your home to strangers and, 2) you are expecting them to offer hundreds of thousands of pounds on your home. You will need to impress them. Home staging is more than just hiding the dirty clothes; it is about emphasising the lifestyle the buyer is looking to live.

]]>https://findthehomepros.com/thinking-of-selling-your-home-here-are-some-staging-tips/feed/0Tools Needed to Install Laminate Flooringhttps://findthehomepros.com/tools-needed-to-install-laminate-flooring/
https://findthehomepros.com/tools-needed-to-install-laminate-flooring/#respondTue, 27 Aug 2019 18:32:24 +0000https://findthehomepros.com/?p=9988Your spouse talked you into it, and now you have two pallets of laminate flooring to lay. If you are researching the best tools for doing your job easier, you might stop right now and check out our list of professionals.

A professional flooring installer can make sure that your flooring looks great. They are also going to save you a lot of time, and get you back into your living spaces faster.

Professional help aside, laying laminate flooring is relatively simple. Having the correct tools can speed up the process and help you get a more professional look — even if it is your first time doing it.

When installing a floating laminate floor (one that is not being adhered to the subflooring with glue, nail or staples), the process is more straight-forward. You will mostly need a saw for cutting the boards, and a tapping block and hammer for clicking the laminate pieces together.

Tapping Block

This tool is nearly as simplistic as it sounds. It has a small lip on it that helps to protect the tongue on the tapping edge of the piece of laminate. It is also nearly as wide as the laminate piece you are installing, helping to provide even pressure against the board as you tap it into place.

With a good hammer and high-quality tapping block, you can help minimize the damage to the ends and ensure that you get a snug fit.

The Pull Bar

Along the same vein as the tapping block, you want to invest in a pull bar. This tool looks like a wide, flat, crowbar. The Pull bar is essential for getting those final, end pieces to snap into place when you are working against a wall.

The end of the pull bar fits over the end of the last piece. With some steady, gentle, tapping, you can pull that piece into place, just as you would with the tapping block.

Jigsaw

In theory, you could do the entire job with a jigsaw. Laminate is relatively thin and cuts quickly. Jigsaws are essential if you have pipes and odd wall angles to work around (such as when installing in a bathroom or a kitchen).

However, jigsaws don’t cut straight lines as well as some of the other options. Most of the cuts you will be doing are simple crosscuts to make a piece it shorter. Miter saws are faster for these types of straight cuts.

One of the neat things about using a miter saw is that there is a wide variety of cordless saws from which to choose. This variety means that you can always have the right tool near you for quick cuts.

With larger saws, you have to leave the area you are working to walk over to your saw and make the cut. When using a jigsaw, you can get the same cuts done with less walking.

If you chalk your lines carefully and make careful cuts, can do it all with a jigsaw. However, I would recommend stepping up to a table saw.

If you want a good in-between, look for a miniature circular saw. These small saws are still lightweight and handheld, but easy to move from one area to another while getting a straighter cut than a jigsaw will offer.

Table Saw

Table saws are the virtual workhorse of the construction industry. Almost every do-it-yourselfer owns one. They are affordable, and the portable table saws are lightweight and easy to set up near your working area.

With a table saw, you are going to have an extremely stable working area. You can easily measure and mark your piece of laminate, and then feed it through the saw. The table saw’s fence will guide your cutting, helping you get a straight cut every time.

One of the advantages of a table saw is that you can rip your laminate boards lengthwise to make them narrower. If you It’s pretty inevitable that you will need to rip a few boards, and you don’t want to be stuck trying to do lengthwise cuts with a jigsaw.

There are countless table saw options, but a portable table saw will be your best bet as they are designed to run on any 20 amp circuit, and can always be plugged in just outside of the room in which you are working.

Miter Saw

Miter saws are about the fastest way to cut laminate. Their hinged mechanism makes it easy to get an accurate crosscut every time.

Since laminate is fairly narrow, you can mark it, slip it in, and pull the saw down for a quick cut. If you are working with a wider, luxury, laminate, you might need to invest in a high-end sliding miter saw.

The miter saw might be the fastest way to make accurate crosscuts. However, as with the table saw, it is heavy and large, and you’ll waste a lot of time walking back and forth between your saw and your working area.

Flooring Saw

One of the most innovative options is a flooring saw. These small circular saws are attached to a track system.

Similar to a tile saw these small setups make it easy to get straight, accurate, crosscuts while using a device that is lightweight and easy to set up near the area you are working. These make it easy to get an accurate, fast cut right where you need it. However, they are a little more limited for day-to-day use, which is why the jigsaw and miter saw is the preferred pick.

Regardless of the saw you go with, click laminate flooring is one of the more straightforward projects for a homeowner to tackle. For this and all of your home improvement needs, we have the techs that can make a difference.

A good first step is to conduct a do-it-yourself (DIY) energy assessment, also called an energy audit. An audit can identify many of your home’s energy deficiencies, helping you make simple improvements to save money in the long term.

You can conduct an inspection of the areas listed on this page in one afternoon, track your findings, and start making energy improvements. Some can be solved quickly with a bit of elbow grease and a trip to the hardware store. If you discover major issues, you may consider following up with a professional energy audit.

As you conduct your audit, you may also identify behaviors that result in excess energy use and cost. Once you note these behavior patterns, you and your family can work to modify them.

Finally, you can track the benefits and payback of your efforts. Monitor your monthly consumption and cost for the previous year of fuel bills. Track use going forward and compare each month to determine your savings. You can also use this information to get a Home Energy Yardstick score from ENERGY STAR®.

All it takes is a thorough inspection of the following areas. Keep a checklist of the problems you find so you can note your repairs. Create your own or use this sample from Virginia Energy Sense.

Air Leaks

By working to stop or minimize drafts, you can save on annual energy costs. The Department of Energy notes that consumers could save 10% to 20% per year, and your home will likely be more comfortable. Search throughout your home for air leaks. Once you have identified the leaks, seal them with caulk, weather stripping or the same material as the original seal. Note that when sealing your home, you should be aware of the danger of combustion appliance backdrafts (flue gases being pulled back into the house instead of exhausting through the chimney).

Check for gaps and see if existing caulking and weather stripping is in good condition. Some places to inspect are gaps under baseboards and doors as well as around windows, door frames, electrical outlets, switch plates and pipes. If you can see daylight around door or window frames, or you can feel the air moving, it leaks.

When inspecting the exterior of your home, look at areas where two different building materials meet, such as corners and water faucets. Look for cracks and holes in the mortar, foundation and siding. Check all penetrations through the outside walls (pipes, vents and wiring).

Insulation

You may have insufficient insulation in the ceiling and walls, especially if you have an older home. Your attic door should be insulated and closed tight. If you see that attic insulation is level with or below the attic floor joists, you probably need to add more. Make sure your attic vents are not blocked by insulation.

Measure the depth of your insulation. Use these ENERGY STAR resources to calculate your existing R-value and locate the recommended R-value for your climate zone. A vapor barrier will also improve your home’s performance, if properly installed; you may want to consult a building professional for this upgrade.

If you have an unconditioned crawlspace, look for insulation under the living area flooring. If your crawlspace is enclosed and contains appliances, air ducts and/or plumbing, it may be better to insulate the entire crawlspace perimeter instead.

Checking for insulation in your walls is more difficult. You can make a small hole in a closet or other out-of-the-way place and probe into the wall with a long stick or screwdriver. If it’s an outside wall, the area should be completely filled with an insulating material. Please note that you probably won’t be able to check all of your walls. To conduct a thorough profile of your wall insulation, you will need a thermographic inspection, which is typically included as part of a professional home energy audit.

Heating and Cooling Equipment

Every year, inspect your heating and cooling equipment, and have your equipment checked and cleaned by a professional. If you have a forced-air furnace, replace your filters as recommended, generally every 30 to 60 days. See if your ducts and pipes located in unheated spaces are insulated. Dirt streaks around your ductwork, especially near the seams, are evidence of leaks.

Lighting

Look at the type of light bulbs in your home. LED bulbs provide ample light, can be used in most applications, and use the least amount of energy. For specialty applications, use the lowest wattage that provides enough light for your needs. Consider motion sensors and timers to keep the lights off when not needed.

Energy Vampires

An “energy vampire” is a device that continues to use energy and drain power even when it is turned off. Energy vampires lurk throughout your home and account for as much as 20% of your electric bill. Some examples are coffee makers, toasters and other appliances that are plugged in but aren’t in use all the time. Identify the culprits, and unplug them or connect them to advanced power strips that will cut power when appropriate. Check your losses with this Vampire Calculator from Duke Energy.

]]>https://findthehomepros.com/assess-your-homes-efficiency-with-and-energy-audit/feed/0Tips for Using Your Brad Nailer for Cabinets, Trims & Furniture: Essential Guidehttps://findthehomepros.com/tips-for-using-your-brad-nailer-for-cabinets-trims-furniture-essential-guide/
https://findthehomepros.com/tips-for-using-your-brad-nailer-for-cabinets-trims-furniture-essential-guide/#respondThu, 22 Aug 2019 13:01:05 +0000https://findthehomepros.com/?p=9959Whether you are a novice DIY woodworker or a pro, everyone wants their projects to look professional. If you like woodworking, a brad nailer will be an essential tool for you. With a little experience and know-how, you can make trim work, cabinets and other furniture projects look more professionally done.

A brad nailer is one of the must-have tools that help the user to drive nails through wood pieces safely and with ease. It is efficiently designed with a trigger mechanism that propels nails through the materials quickly than the traditional and manual counterparts. If you’ve never used one before, they can appear a bit intimidating. Here, you can learn more tips on how to use your brad nailer when working on cabinets, trims, and furniture.

Working with power tools is not free of accidents unless one is careful enough. Be sure you take the time to look over your work space. Make sure it is free of hazards that may trap cords, cause you to trip or stumble, or cause other distractions while the power tool is in use.

Also, be sure you wear proper protective gear. These include woodworkers’ overalls designed to protect you from flying debris, work gloves, hearing protection, and breathing protection/mask if you will be using any chemicals or will be sanding or cutting wood. Don’t forget eye protection! Be sure your safety glasses are properly rated to save your eyes should a nail strike your glasses.

Ensure to read all the user manual instructions before using the tool. You will find tips for working safely with the equipment, and also learn how to properly care for the tools. Check the labels for anything that you need to attach or disconnect.

Loading the Nail Magazine

To open the magazine, depress the cartridge and pull it back for access to the magazine. Place the brads into it and ensure their heads fit into each slot. You can insert as many brads as the recommended number but avoid overloading the nailer. Slide the magazine back and ensure it clicks into place.

How to Use a Pneumatic Brad Nailer

A pneumatic brad nailer uses air pressure to drive nails. While using it, you will need:

An air compressor and air hose.

Adjustable wrench

Air hose adaptor

Pneumatic tool oil.

Teflon tape

Tack cloth

Connect the Hose Adaptor

Ensure you get the right hose adaptor and attach it to the brad nailer firmly. You can use the adjustable wrench for this, or you may have a “snap and release” type of fitting. Again, check your manual for instructions if you are unsure how to connect your fittings.

To prevent any air leak, you can use the Teflon tape to wrap the hose adaptor. The tape will also ensure that the joint between the adaptor and nailer is tight. (Check the user manual for specific instructions for your model)

Lubricate the Brad Nailer and Hose Adaptor

All power tools should essentially be lubricated before every use. For the nailer, ensure to lubricate the metal parts and other moving parts according to manufacturers instructions. Clean any spills using the tack cloth.

Load the Magazine

The loading is similar for all nailer types. The best advice is to ensure that you load the right nail size and avoid overloading the magazine.

Connect the Nailer to the Air Compressor

Before connecting the two, allow the air compressor to pressurize. Connect them using the air hose and check to ensure both sides are air-tight. Go ahead and test the nailer on waste materials before you can start the actual work. You’ll want to make sure the nailer is operating properly before using it on your project. And if you are new to brad nailers, you’ll want a bit of practice first.

How to Use the Electric/Cordless Brad Nailer

These two nailer types are similar in operation to the Pneumatic nailer but use electric current as opposed to compressed air to ‘shoot’ the nail into the wood.

Loading the Brad Nailer

Most nailers load in a way similar to what is outlined below, but check your model’s specific instructions before proceeding:

Ensure it is turned off and that is not plugged in to a power source. This is important to prevent accidental release of a nail before you are prepared. Safety first!

Assemble the manufacturer-recommended nail types and sizes.

Check the direction the nails should be inserted in and slide them through.

The brad nailer should be held upside down while the nails should lie against the channel’s wall.

Slide the latch backward and reconnect the nailer to the power source. If it’s battery-powered, power it on and drive your nails through your workpiece.

For each power tool, there is the predetermined purpose it is intended to serve. For the brad nailer, its role is to drive nails through wooden work pieces and it can be a handy tool if you need to make cabinets, trims, and any other wooden projects. With the right tools for the job, there is nothing that should stop you from making your own furniture, trim pieces or cabinetry from the convenience of your home or workshop as an amateur, DIYer or professional.

Not up for a project on your own? If you live in the Rochester or Finger Lakes region of New York, you can find a professional to help with you project at www.FindTheHomePros.com.

]]>https://findthehomepros.com/tips-for-using-your-brad-nailer-for-cabinets-trims-furniture-essential-guide/feed/0How to Install a Home Security System – Plus Top Systems Availablehttps://findthehomepros.com/how-to-install-a-home-security-system-yourself-plus-top-systems-available/
https://findthehomepros.com/how-to-install-a-home-security-system-yourself-plus-top-systems-available/#respondWed, 21 Aug 2019 13:30:25 +0000https://findthehomepros.com/?p=9948You probably hear about this almost daily in the news – thieves stealing packages from door steps or breaking into homes or garages. Home security is essential for keeping your family and property safe, and protecting your valuables from potential break-ins from burglars. When we think of home security, house alarms may be the first thing that springs to mind, but there’s a lot more to a modern-day security system. Door and window sensors, motion sensors, security cameras and electric gates are also common features of a security system, and are widely available to buy from a number of top providers.

Installing a home security system is simpler than you may think. If your security system of choice isn’t too complex, and you have some basic tool skills, there’s no reason to leave it to the experts. In order to save on cash and do it yourself, you simply need to find yourself a good, affordable DIY security system that will meet your requirements. Here are some easy steps to follow if you want to install a home security system yourself:

Install your home security panel

The first stage of installing your home security system is to set up the hub of the system – the security panel. All home security systems require a control panel to power the security features and control their functioning. It’s a good idea to position your control panel near to your front door, such as in the hallway, for the easiest access as soon as you enter your property. You will usually only need to nail your security panel into a wall to install it, although do check your specific appliance’s instructions to be certain.

Add your security features

Your security system might only consist of an alarm so far, but if you have purchased more features, now’s the time to set them all up. Some features, such as wired CCTV and home alarm monitoring, might be best left to the experts, especially if you’ve had no experience with wiring before. Things like motion sensors, though, can easily be set up in your locations of choice. Think carefully about where you’re placing them – doors and windows are an obvious must, so make sure you prioritize the most important locations first.

Give your work a trial run

Once you’ve set up your features, it’s time to test it out to check they work. This is fairly self-explanatory: simply activate your system and “trigger” each of the motion sensors in turn to check they are working as they should do. If you have motion detectors in certain rooms, you can also test those out, too. The smarter home security systems can link up to an app on your phone that can alert you when something out of the ordinary is detected, and it’s worth learning how to utilize that feature if you have it.

What about the more complex security features?

The more complex home security features are more often than not best left for the experts to install. A professional installation will of course cost you more money but will give you the peace of mind that your system is set up correctly. You may also benefit from learning the ins and outs of your system from your installer, who can pass on their knowledge and save you the time of having to figure things out for yourself.

What to look for in a home security system

If you are looking for a top security system for your home, you need an idea of what to look for. What are the standout features of the most popular options out there? We’ve covered some of the must-have when it comes to top security systems below:

– Excellent customer service links

You might not immediately think of customer service if you’re on the hunt for the best security system, but the reality is, if a situation occurs where there’s a security breach and you need immediate assistance, a fast and helpful response from your security providers is essential. Whether it’s day or night, you need to know you’ve got someone on hand who is keen to help. Taking a look at online reviews should help you to get a good idea of what the customer service of a particular security provider is like.

– Smart features

Smart home technology isn’t essential – but it could be argued that when it’s a signal of what’s to come in the future, it’s worth investing a bit more in a smart security system. A system with smart capabilities will allow you to connect your security features to your devices such as your phones and tablets, allowing you to remotely control and monitor your home on a 24/7 basis. It should be fairly obvious which security systems are smart and which aren’t, as smart providers will usually mention the fact somewhere in their product descriptions.

– Wireless elements

Security systems can be wired or wireless, but there are clear advantages to opting for a wireless system. Not only is a wireless system easier to install, it’s more aesthetically pleasing, portable, cheaper to fit and all around less of a faff to have in your home. Again, you should be able to see quite clearly whether a system is wired or wireless before you purchase it. If you’re unsure, you can always discuss your options with a trusted installer.

What are the top security systems available today?

Security systems and features are constantly evolving, but the top market Amazon best-sellers at the moment include the following:

There are so many security systems available that your choice is by no means limited. It’s worth doing your own research and finding the system that best meets your requirements before you commit to making a purchase.

If you are not the DIY type, and live in the Rochester or Finger Lakes region of New York, find your security professional at www.FindTheHomePros.com.